Popular messaging service WhatsApp recently saw a huge group of its users jump ship for rival platforms. The reason for the switch? An updated privacy policy.
WhatsApp recently announced a new privacy policy that no longer allows users to opt out of sharing their data with parent company Facebook. According to the new policy, user data like phone numbers, address books, pictures and the contents of some messages will now be automatically shared with Facebook. The new policy goes into effect on February 8th.
The new policy says this: “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies. We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings.”
Why Privacy Matters
Under the new privacy policy, WhatsApp users have two options: agree to share their personal information with Facebook or delete their WhatsApp account.
It’s a decision many of WhatsApp’s two billion users don’t take lightly.
The updated policy sent users into an uproar. An appropriately time tweet from Elon Musk encouraged people to switch to encrypted messaging app Signal. The WhatsApp rival saw such a huge boost in new users that there was a delay in verification codes to create new accounts.
The mass exodus from WhatsApp and the frenzy the new policy has caused show just how much consumers value privacy. They want to be in control of who has their information and what parts of their information are available.
Since releasing the initial policy change, WhatsApp has clarified that the company doesn’t collect data from messages sent between family members and friends, just from personal information and what users send businesses. Information that a user sends to a business can be collected and shared with Facebook for advertising. It says the update provides further transparency into how WhatsApp collects data.
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